Chapter 5
-The Hunt-
Never before have I been so afraid of being alone. Yet the possibility of meeting someone is far more horrifying.
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Elain sure is late. One would think that ‘a few days’ would mean a few days, not a week. Frustrated I throw myself on to the bed, swinging my legs back and forth over the bed’s edge. Although I am sure she has her reasons, it is frustrating to be left behind like this. Even more so considering that I hardly know the area around here. What little I know so far from exploring what little I dared is that we are situated in a clearing inside a forest. The shrine is a short walk through the woods to the east. Thus I truly know nothing.
With a loud sigh I ponder on what to do today. “Perhaps I should start the day with another archery session?” Ila tilts her head in response, her yellow eyes looking straight at me. Her black and white spotted fur glistering with a tone of red due to the light emitted from the hearth. “Don’t judge me alright, I know I suck at it.” With a frustrated cry I recall my earlier session three days past. It was my first time using the bow thus I had prepared an easy target. My verdict, a disaster to say the least. One out of 20 arrows hit and that one was just a fluke. If I were to use something like a crossbow, then perhaps my score would have been different. Frustrated at the time I stowed away my bow with intent to never be seen again. However, the possibility of encountering dangerous beasts and evil men frighten me. Now that I have calmed down, I should reconsider my decision. Mastering the bow and dagger may be my safest bet for survival in this world as no one succeeds without effort and perseverance. Failure whilst practicing here is better than in a real life-threatening situation.
Ila seem to have lost her interest as she is now cleaning herself. She is probably more concerned as to why I did not accept her nice offering this morning. Regardless how flattering it may be to her, it was not nice for me to wake up to a mauled something next to my head. Although Ila may have a point, there is practically no meat left in this house. Perhaps I should follow Rhia’s footsteps and become a hunter of some sort giving me further incentive to master the bow.
Rhia’s bow should be where I left it, in her casket under a multiple layer of clothing. Clothing I had deemed not necessary in a foreseeable future. My hands dig into the casket as something hard grazes against my hand. Not thinking through whether I should pull it forth or not I with a quick decision pull it out. A set of leather meet my eyes; it is Rhia’s leather armour. Resisting my urge to quickly throw it away I look at closely, admiring the craftsmanship before me. It is a darkened leather armour with leaves beautifully embroidered into the chest piece. The only missing piece for a whole set is a cap or a helmet. There is a set of gloves probably made for archery. It surely would have helped earlier as I had hurt my hands using the bow.
Using this piece of armour sure would make me feel better about exploring the surrounding area. Even more so if I were to hunt in the woods. Giving it no further thought I decide to try it on.
The armour fit like it was exclusively made for me. Curious about my looks I grab a polished copper or quite possibly bronze mirror piece. Yet another one of Rhia’s trinkets that at first had no obvious use. A round disk of polished bronze plate is not something I associate with mirrors. A reflection stare back at me. A woman with long red flowing curly hair. It definitely feels strange looking at her but not as shocking now as I know what to expect. The clothing, armour and accessories all add up together furthering my feminine look. Wonder what my friends at school would think seeing me like this. Would I be considered a hot girl now? The mere thought made me laugh although feeling embarrassed for even considering such. My getup would probably garner more looks given it is far from the norm.
Having played enough with the mirror I grab my bow, quiver and dagger and head out.
The sun, high in the sky and its rays shining brightly onto the field give respite from the cold. It feels as if spring is at the door and there are but a few days of snow left. A sudden but welcomed turn as it was but a few days ago since we had a snow storm.
The thought of spending the day practicing with my bow is not as enticing as the prospect of exploring the area a little bit. Although I need to be careful as my proficiency with the bow is lacking. However, the thought of being stuck here another day is killing me. A short walk around should be of no harm. There have been but one time I saw a creature in the area and that was days ago. That could have been my imagination as well. Regardless, it headed south towards a grove on the southern edge of the clearing. Thus I should head north. Perhaps I could find a small rivulet or the like nearby. A fresh source of water would be nice considering that snow might soon be in a short supply. Needing no more incentive, I set foot ahead towards the northern border of the clearing. Away from the creature I saw that night.
Stolen story; please report.
It surely feels like a whole other world upon entering the forest. The trees are thick and reach up high into the sky. Moss growing on practically everything there is to grow on. Spring has already come to this place. There are but a few patches of snow here and there. A damp yet earthy inviting smell sift through my nose as I breathe in nature. My footsteps echo soundly as I walk with bow and arrow in hand. It is as if the forest is inviting me further into its bosom but I know better than to stray too far away from home.
It took me about 2 hours to find what I have been looking for. A rivulet gently streaming towards the south west. My feet hurt as they crave rest. However, it is not the only part of me that is tired. The forest’s uneven landscape makes it quite tiresome to explore this area. Slumping down on a stone near the stream my hands reach into a satchel strapped on my belt procuring a little small something to eat. However, my short rest is cut even shorter. My eyes dart towards a sudden sound I hear to the north. A fawn timidly walks over to the rivulet to have a drink. It carefully looks about but it does not seem to notice me. My hands silently nock an arrow on my bow, aiming at the target as if it is the most natural thing to do in the world. As if a sudden surge to exact revenge on Flidae is given rise albeit this fawn is not her no. This fawn is brown and alone in this harsh world. The mother or siblings nowhere to be seen. Its fate sealed once it lost its family. It will surely die by some predator if not by me. My arms and hands shake yet I cannot let lose the arrow. Slumping down I give up for a few moments. Taking a few breaths, mustering enough courage to take aim once again. The fawn drinks carelessly from the stream. Not knowing its impeding death coming close.
Something flicks my ear and surprised I let the arrow loose. The fawn stumble away terrified by the sudden noise. The arrow missed but stupefied I wonder what just happened. Turning my head left and right a small something flies into view. It laughs at me with a girlish giggle. It glows with a green light yet there is a small feminine person standing in that ray of light. A pair of transparent butterfly wings fluttering on its back. It says something or should I say sings something to me. With a giggle it leaves me, flying away deep into the woods.
It took a while for me to grasp what just happened. With quick steps I move over to the area where the arrow had struck the ground. The arrow seems whole seemingly buried in moss. Quickly digging it out, returning it to the quiver I hurriedly make my way home.
This whole situation just gave me further proof that this world is inhabited by strange things. That the thing I saw that night was indeed real. All common sense that I have accumulated over the years are for naught here. My steps echo loudly as I hurriedly make my way home. My eyes dart left and right, I have to make haste or I may find something else hiding out here. I stumble upon something and fall face down on to the ground. Cursing my luck, I look at the probable root I stumbled upon. However, it was no root as my eyes look upon the rotting carcass of a man. His hollowed eyes eaten out and face torn. His guts torn out and eaten. The area suddenly grew colder as I feel all warmth drain from my body. Letting out a scream I crawl a few steps back expecting the dead something to rise up. It does not.
Calming down I look at the man once more. He does not move at all. Long black hair, furs all over his body. However, he has been eaten for most part. Gnawed bones and fur scattered about. A broken bow lay on the ground and a sword strapped to his side. Arrows lay scattered about and a satchel lay on the ground as well. Giving the man no further heed I grab the satchel and make my way home as quick as possible. However, my worries do not end as I hear loud thumping noises from behind. It must be large considering the heavy sound every step it takes make. Screaming for help I run but I can hear it getting closer. It steadily gains ground on me and I do not know what is worst. Knowing that I will not make it in time home or that it might follow me there. A sudden hit to my back makes me tumble over. Crying, screaming I fear the worst as something grabs my hair and pulls me up. Yellow eyes meet mine, a crooked yellow tusked smile on the creature forms as it looks me over. A large nose don its face and strange chubby pointy ears go outwards from its head. It is large, maybe 3 meters in height and it holds me up like I weigh nothing. There were tales of creatures such as these back home. Trolls hiding under bridges but never did I expect to meet one. It reeks is an understatement as I feel the foul odour of that thing curling my nose hair. The creature begins to drag me by the hair deeper into the forest. Panicked I scream and tumble about but the troll gives no heed.